Unfortunately they don't rebuild freak, they just reload. I mean look back over the past 4 years. The defense that won them the national title was one of the most dominant units I've seen in college ball. Since that time they've STILL continued to have a dominant defense and the only carryover from that time really has been AJ Hawk. That was his true freshman year, and he played quite a bit, but none of the other players this season really contributed on that national title team. They've also got completely different defensive coaches than what they had then. Still they haven't really missed a beat.Falconfreak90 wrote:I didn't think she was anything to write home about....but the Bucks D sure was impressive.
What a shame they lose a lot on that D for 2006.
They lose 2 of the 4 starters in the secondary. Youboty & Whitner may also leave early which would be the entire secondary. However, I don't think OSU's secondary is really all that great anyways. Certainly their losses will sting, but none of those guys are the type that are real gamechangers...and Ginn is the best CB on the team if they were to let him play on that side of the ball...
They lose all 3 LBs, but they've played 2 games w/o Carpenter already and his replacement is a true frosh who's looked pretty good. They have a transfer in Kerr who had a dominant freshman season at Indiana and will likely step in for Schlegal little loss. Replacing Hawk is a tall order, no doubt, but D'Andrea was the #1 defensive recruit in the country for a reason. The kid is a phenomenal athlete (better than Hawk), but he doesn't have the instincts. He's coming off a season long injury this year, but I expect he'll step in and play at a high level. No AJ, for sure, but he'll be pretty good.
On the DL they lose 2 of their top 8 guys and all of those 8 played almost equal minutes. Kudla is the only real major loss, IMO, but I'm sure the other guys will easily step up in his absence.
Yes, they lose a lot off that defense, but they will be very prepared to reload, IMO. Also don't forget that we don't get the benefit of opening their season like we did against UW this past year. This OSU defense will have had a few games to come back together in that time and I gotta feeling they'll be pretty good by October. I still think it comes back to coaching anyways. That OSU defense is always so great not just because of their talent or athletic ability, but moreso because they are always fundamentally sound. I have to believe that won't change much despite having a few new faces around.
Still, the OSU defense isn't my major concern. I still think we'll put up between 14-24 points on them. I'm worried we'll have a rough time keeping that offense under 40. ND looked like they were running in quicksand in comparison. That OSU unit is FAST. They're also adding scout.com's #1 recruit in the nation in Chris Wells. I doubt he'll supplant Pittman who had a breakout year this season, but I'll bet he'll get carries.
